Sea of firefighting foam swallows Californian airport

A SEA of firefighting foam has swallowed a hangar at a major Californian airport, swamping the streets and engulfing trucks following a malfunction.

A MALFUNCTION at a Californian airport has caused a sea of firefighting foam to swallow a hangar and spew into the surrounding streets.

The bubbling mass swallowed trucks, buildings and fences at the Mineto San Jose International Airport, about 70 kilometres south of San Francisco.

San Jose firefighters say the deluge started due to a problem the fire prevention system inside the new hanger, which was built to house large jets.

“If there had been a fire, this system would’ve worked very well,” fire captain Mitch Matlow told The Mercury News.

The sea of foam rose almost to the top of this stop sign.

Firefighting foam released from back of @FlySJC hangar is blowing around in the wind. It looks like soap, but I wouldn't advise touching it. pic.twitter.com/fDI3j0gmP7

— Jonathan Bloom (@BloomTV) November 18, 2016

“The purpose is to prevent a flammable liquid fire inside the hangar from spreading.”

The foam is made from fire-retardant chemicals, which can cause skin irritation. However, some members of the public found it irresistible — including local man Blake Harrington, who rode through the mountains of foam on his bike.

Local journalist Jonathan Bloom live-tweeted the incident.

He said onlookers described the malfunction “like a foam party gone bad”.

“It looks like soap, but I wouldn’t advise touching it,” he tweeted.

Blake Harrington just took the ride of his life -- through a street full of firefighting foam. It's non-toxic, but could be a skin irritant. pic.twitter.com/iytIb0u56y

— Jonathan Bloom (@BloomTV) November 18, 2016

"Like a foam party gone bad." That's how onlookers described this white frothy monster outside @FlySJC. Full story: https://t.co/GfrkDAnPUS pic.twitter.com/fyuJdaTB31

— Jonathan Bloom (@BloomTV) November 19, 2016